“Viva La Bam” star Don Vito dead

Vincent Roy Margera, also known as Don Vito, passed away Nov. 15, at 6:45 a.m. at Chester County Hospital in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Vito suffered from kidney and liver failure, and because of that the “Jackass” crew lost another member, since the death of Ryan Dunn.

Vito was the uncle of professional skateboarder and member of “Jackass,” Bam Margera. He was famous for his mumbling and alcoholism in Bam’s show “Viva La Bam.”

The show centered around Bam doing foolish things with his friends as well as pranking his uncle Don Vito.

Vito was not only known as a reality TV star but also as a criminal.

“Following the end of Viva La Bam in 2006, Vincent Margera faced legal issues stemming from an incident at a Colorado autograph session in August 2006 where he was charged with groping two 12-year-old girls,” according to Rolling Stones.

“Margera was ultimately found guilty of two counts of sexual assault on a minor and sentenced to 10 years of ‘serious’ probation, which banned him from further portraying ‘Don Vito’ in any capacity. He was also sentenced to register as a sex offender in Colorado and his native Pennsylvania. Since then, Margera remained largely out of the spotlight,” continued Rolling Stone.

I grew up watching “Viva La Bam” and it was one of the funniest shows that ever premiered on MTV, followed by “Jackass.”

From his obnoxious reactions when pranked to the obviously intoxicated slurred speech, and immaturity, Vito being charged as a sex offender does not surprise me.

If you watched “Viva la Bam,” you could see how creepy he was towards women and how uncomfortable he made them.

“[Vito] was a character. He was the center of attention in ‘Viva La Bam’ and the reason why I watched the show. The fact that he was a criminal doesn’t affect me at all, [it] doesn’t change my view [of] him. He will always be remembered as the fat, funny uncle,” said student Joseph Esparza.

“Margera’s attorney had argued that the reality star took on the persona of the outrageous Don Vito character during the [court] appearance as an explanation for his actions…[he collapsed] violently in the courtroom and [yelled] ‘just kill me now,'” according to MTV News.

“Don Vito was a grown man who acted like a child, some would take it wrong but I find it hilarious,” said student Joshua Lennick.

As for me, watching these famous characters, it seems like they never go through troubles, and as if their lives are perfect based off the cool things they do.

When these TV stars commit crimes or fail to follow the law, it seems like their character committed the crime and it was all just an act. They don’t face real consequences – almost as if they were untouched.

Vito sexually assaulted minors and was only charged with 10-years of probation, which is seen as a slap on the wrist for this atrocious crime.

Whatever the case may be, it is wrong to treat them like unblemished stars, especially when they commit crimes. For a civilian to commit a crime like that, they would be sent to prison.

It is unfair for someone to get a lighter sentence because of their celebrity status.